Esther Nova

Introduction: This study evaluated the effects of filtered, alkalinised water on inflammation and intestinal dysbiosis in individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Material and methods: We conducted a three-month, two-arm, randomised intervention study involving 46 patients with IBD in remission. Fifty-two volunteers were recruited and divided into two groups (n = 26): the control group consumed water from a mock device, and the test group consumed alkalinised filtered water. Forty-six (21/25) volunteers completed the study. Blood and stool samples were collected before and after the intervention. We assessed antioxidant capacity and circulating cytokine levels from plasma. Gene expression levels of inflammatory mediators were determined using mRNA from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). The microbial composition of faecal samples was characterised by qPCR analysis using primers targeting 16S rRNA genes. Results: Consumption of alkalinised filtered water significantly reduced IL1B gene expression in PBMCs. Furthermore, subjects drinking alkalinised filtered water exhibited a consistent, albeit not statistically significant, decrease in circulating IL-1b and significantly lower levels of IL-4 than controls. Microbiome analysis revealed that the levels of the Bacteroides fragilis Group were significantly reduced in subjects consuming tap water but not in those consuming filtered water. Conclusions: These changes suggest that consuming alkalinised water for three months leads to an improved inflammatory status compared with consuming tap water.

Background: Eating disorders (ED) are severe and complex psychiatric conditions characterized by the presence of abnormal eating patterns. An integrative biopsychosocial model has been developed to describe vulnerability to developing an ED, as well as its maintenance and treatment resistance. Potential predisposing factors for anorexia nervosa (AN) include neurobiological and genetic factors, psychological traits and early life experiences. More specifically, dysregulation of brain neurotransmitters and the reward systems, appetite-regulating neuropeptides, the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis and the bidirectional communication between the gut microbiome and the brain have all been pointed out . However, studies relevant to characterizing the gut microbiota features in AN patients are still scarce and more research is needed to discern the mechanisms operating in specific stages of the disease and in specific diagnostic subtypes. Thus, the objective of this project is to investigate differences in gut microbiota composition and microbial-related metabolite levels between children and adolescents experiencing their first episode of ED and matched healthy controls. Additionally, we will study the associations between psychological variables, dietary patterns, microbiota composition, and neuroendocrine and inflammatory variables to generate hypotheses about the most important factors in the pathophysiology of ED. Methods: A cross-sectional, controlled study will be conducted with children and adolescents who have been newly diagnosed with an ED and have had symptoms for less than one year. Healthy preadolescents and adolescents will serve as the control group. The study will include an assessment of clinical status, medical history, early life experiences, psychometric tests, dietary patterns, and gut microbiota composition and function (shotgun metagenomics). Additionally, appetite-regulating peptides, neurotransmitters, inflammatory cytokines, and SCFAs will be analyzed. For patients willing to undergo a second assessment, clinical variables, microbiota, and blood biomarkers will be analyzed after one year of treatment. Discussion: Understanding the regulatory mechanisms of physiological functions affected by ED, such as appetite control, reward systems, and energy homeostasis, as well as the role of gut microbiota in these systems, could help advance the design of personalized treatments. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT07066033. Released on July 3, 2025.

Background Adolescence is a key developmental stage marked by physiological and behavioural changes. Eating behaviour, modifiable and sex-dependent, may be altered and linked to future health issues. This cross-sectional study aims to assess whether eating behaviours and body composition are associated in an adolescent sample. Methods Participants aged 12.5–17.5 years were recruited from 10 European cities, with valid data on age, sex, socio-demographic status, body composition and physical activity and who had also completed the specific eating behaviour questionnaire “Eating Behaviour and Weight Problems Inventory for Children”. Different linear regression models were adjusted for relevant confounders, and ANCOVA models were performed. Results Eating Behaviours related to weight concerns, dietary restraint, emotional eating, fear of weight gain, healthy nutrition and figure dissatisfaction were strongly positively associated with higher Body Mass Index (BMI), Fat Mass Index (FMI) and Waist Circumference (WC), especially in males (betas resulting from the association between these behavioural subscales and body composition in males, ranged from 0.174 to 0.974 for BMI, 0.172 to 0.930 for FMI, and 0.128 to 0.889 for WC). The strongest association was detected in the weight concerns subscale for both males and females. Conclusion Eating behaviours across all domains are significantly linked to body composition, with variations depending on the specific behavioural domain and the adolescent’s sex. These findings are critical for identifying specific behavioural patterns that contribute to obesity and related health issues, providing new insights for more targeted prevention strategies during this crucial stage of development.

The consumption of low-alcohol fermented beverages has been related to cardiovascular health improvements. Although the underlying mechanism is not completely understood, (poly)phenols have been proposed as one of the mediators. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of a controlled intervention with beer on (poly)phenols metabolism in individuals with and without metabolic syndrome (MetS). 20 participants (MetS and control) who consumed a standardized amount of beer during 6 weeks were recruited. Phenolic compounds were assessed in urine. Different changes in phenolic compounds associated with chronic beer consumption were found, particularly related to hesperetin conjugates and to the degradation of phenolic compounds derived from flavonoids and lignans. Noteworthily, MetS and control participants differed in baseline urine phenolic compound profiles and in their metabolization. Significant differences were found in the production and excretion of key (poly)phenols-derived metabolites, such as increased naringenin phase II conjugates in healthy subjects, or increased bacterial flavonoid catabolites. Certain relationships were observed between the phenolic compounds with metabolic and anthropometric variables. These findings suggest that beer-derived (poly)phenols are differentially metabolized according to metabolic-health status, and that they may contribute to certain metabolic health benefits through the modulation of specific metabolic pathways.

Background/Objectives: The main objective of this study was to examine the association between lifestyle patterns (physical activity, screen and sleep time and diet) and abdominal obesity, and endocrine, metabolic, and immunological biomarkers in adolescents with Down syndrome (DS). Methods: Eighty-three DS adolescents (38.6% girls), aged 11 to 18 years, from the UP&DOWN study were included. Cluster analysis was performed by including the compliance of recommendations of lifestyle variables, such as moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), screen and sleep time and adherence to the Mediterranean diet (AMD). The waist-to-height ratio was used as an indicator of abdominal obesity. Haematological, biochemical and inflammatory biomarkers were analysed. Results: A three-cluster solution was identified: Cluster 1: adolescents with low compliance; Cluster 2: youth with medium compliance; and Cluster 3: adolescents with high compliance. Significant differences in MVPA (p = 0.000), screen time (p = 0.004), sleep time (p = 0.0001), AMD (p = 0.000) and abdominal obesity (p = 0.003) were found. Clusters 2 and 3 had lower levels of triglycerides and LDL-cholesterol than Cluster 1. Cluster 2, in which all adolescents met the MVPA recommendations, had the lowest levels of galactin 3. Conclusions: Compliance with lifestyle recommendations (PA, screen and sleep time and AMD) and the absence of abdominal obesity seem to be associated with better biochemical and inflammatory values.

Background and objectives: The gut microbiota performs many functions in the host organism, and metabolites derived from its activity, such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), are involved in immunometabolism. Alterations in gut microbial composition play an essential role in diseases such as heart failure, kidney disease, obesity, and diabetes mellitus. The current work aimed to analyze the associations of serum and fecal inflammatory biomarkers with the microbiota and SCFA in prediabetic subjects. Methods: 65 prediabetic patients, diagnosed according to the American Diabetes Association criteria, who participated in a randomized controlled intervention study with Moringa oleifera Lam. (2.4 g/day), were included. Inflammatory markers (Serum C reactive protein [CRP] and fecal calprotectin and sIgA), gut microbiota (qPCR), and short-chain fatty acids (SCFA; GC-FID) were studied before (V0) and after a 12-week intervention (V12). Relationships were explored using principal component analysis (PCA). Lineal regression models were performed to determine the predictive variables of inflammatory markers by including SCFA and gut microbiota groups as one block of independent variables. Fat mass percentage (BIA) and treatment group were used to adjust the models. Analyses were performed for V0 and V12 separately. Results: Only for calprotectin were significant models found at V0 (p = 0.044) and V12 (p = 0.010). Lactobacillus (standardized beta, β= 0.292; p = 0.047) and Bacteroides (β = 0.430; p = 0.009) groups were significant predictors at V0 and Lactobacillus (β = 0.339; p = 0.015) and the SCFA valeric acid (β = −0.533; p = 0.014) were predictors of calprotectin in V12. For CRP, a trend was found at V12 regression (p = 0.079), with significant contributions for the Blautia coccoides–Eubacterium rectale group (β = 0.585; p = 0.016) and the categorical binomial variable “Above normal fat mass percentage” (“yes”, “no”) (β = 0.478; p < 0.001). No significant influence of the treatment group was observed. Discussion: Calprotectin levels seem to be dependent on microbiota and SCFA levels. Calprotectin showed a positive and consistent relationship with Lactobacillus spp.; however, its relationships with the Bacteroides group and valeric acid were not consistent and deserve further exploration. CRP and sIgA do not seem to be explained to a significant level by the microbiota and SCFA concentrations in this prediabetic population.

This study evaluated the intestinal effects of alkalinized filtered water in lean and obese adult Zucker rats. For 3 months, 12-week-old rats consumed either tap water or filtered alkalinized tap water from Madrid city. Weight gain was monitored, changes in metabolism were evaluated by indirect calorimetry, and total antioxidant capacity and levels of inflammatory mediators were measured in plasma. Feces were collected, their microbial composition was analyzed and histological analysis of the small and large intestine was performed, assessing the general state of the mucosa (MUC2), the inflammatory state (F4/80) and the presence of oxidative modifications in protein 4-Hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) by immunofluorescence (IF) and immunohistochemistry (IHC). The results obtained showed that the consumption of alkalinized filtered water improved the composition of the intestinal microbiome and the state of the intestinal mucosa, reducing both local and systemic inflammation and the level of oxidative stress. These changes were accompanied by a better maintenance of the oxidative status in rats. No differences were observed in antioxidant capacity nor in weight gain. The incorporation of probiotics in the diet had a significant impact on the microbiome. These effects were indicative of an improvement in general metabolic, oxidative and inflammatory status.

Background: For the last 25 years, the debate on the benefit–risk balance of moderate alcohol consumption has been ongoing. This study explored the relationships between the pattern of alcohol consumption and subjective quality of life in healthy adults. Material and Methods: Participants were 247 healthy adults aged 25–45 years, with a moderate alcohol consumption, classified in three groups of alcohol intake: None (N = 37; p = 0.278). Regarding markers of quality of life and mental health, the results did not show any significant association with alcohol consumption. In conclusion, in subjects that show weekly bases moderate intake of alcohol, weekend-day consumption levels can be high; however, no association of an overall moderate alcohol consumption pattern with quality of life was found.

There is increasing evidence that diet influences the relationship between gut microbiota and individual health outcomes. Nutrient intake affects the composition of the gut microbial community and provides metabolites that influence the host physiology. Dietary patterns, including macronutrient balance and feeding/fasting cycles which may be manipulated with dietary regimens based on caloric restriction periods, influence the gut homeostasis through its impact on the microbial ecosystem. Along the same line, prebiotic and probiotic ingredients and additives in foods, as well as the degree of food processing have consequences on gut microbiota and the related immune and metabolic response of the human host. Acquiring knowledge of these aspects, especially through an -omics-integral approach, might provide the basis for personalized nutritional interventions directed to avoid dysbiosis and contribute to the prevention of major chronic degenerative diseases. Despite vast scientific evidence supporting the relationship between dietary factors and gut microbiota composition and function, the underlying mechanisms and their potential impact are far from clear. There is a lack of well-designed longitudinal studies performed in target population groups whose dietary patterns can be particularly relevant for their future health, as is the case in infants, pregnant women, or athletes.

Different parts of the Moringa oleifera Lam. (MO) tree are consumed as food or food supplements for their nutritional and medicinal value; however, very few human studies have been published on the topic. The current work was aimed to provide ancillary analysis to the antidiabetic effects previously reported in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel group intervention conducted in patients with prediabetes. Thus, the effect of MO leaves on blood and fecal inflammatory markers, serum lipid profile, plasma antioxidant capacity and blood pressure was studied in participants who consumed 6 × 400 mg capsule/day of MO dry leaf powder (MO, n = 31) or placebo (PLC, n = 34) over 12 weeks. Differences between groups were assessed using each biomarker’s change score with, adjustment for fat status and the baseline value. In addition, a decision tree analysis was performed to find individual characteristics influencing the glycemic response to MO supplementation. No differences in the biomarker’s change scores were found between the groups; however, the decision tree analysis revealed that plasma TNF-α was a significant predictor of the subject’s HbA1c response (improvement YES/NO; 77% correct classification) in the MO group. In conclusion, TNF-α seems to be a key factor to identify potential respondents to MO leaf powder.